Best Honda CRV Bike Racks

Last Updated on December 18, 2018

The Honda CRV is one of the most popular compact SUVs on the market. They’re a versatile vehicle, with a large fan base and a solid history. But if you’re a cyclist looking for the best bike rack for a Honda CRV, it can be a bit tricky.

There really isn’t much gear that is specifically for the CRV, including bike racks. But that doesn’t mean all racks work with it. That is especially due to the latest model’s rear spoiler.

I’ve compiled a list of bike racks that will work particularly well with your Honda. Here they are:

Attaching securely to the trailer hitch, the BV extends outwards from the vehicle. It offers two trays for the bikes to sit on. It also has padded hook/arms. You can winch those tightly up and down to keep the bikes in place.

There are additional straps to ensure the bike is in place, and avoid wobbling at speeds. It weighs in at a scale-topping 43 lbs. So the BV is certainly not for those who mind a bit of heavy lifting when installing.

The BV can take up to 70 lbs. at a time. That should be ample for two bikes. To further prevent wobbling, BV claims they have a two-way anti-wobble system.

That prevents movement between the hitch and the rack itself. That offers extra security in transit.

In terms of cost, BV offers this rack at an extremely competitive price. They undercut a lot of mainstream brands. Despite (or perhaps because of) its affordability, it has excellent ratings on Amazon.

Customers praise its easy assembly, low price point, and surprisingly high build quality. For many, it seems the BV was an excellent value purchase.

That doesn’t mean the BV is devoid of bells and whistles, though. Like most hitch-mounted racks, it folds neatly towards the trunk to minimize its profile when not carrying bikes in transit, and when navigating a parking space.

But here’s where the BV takes a step above the competition. It also tilts away from the vehicle, even when carrying bikes. That allows for trunk access all the time. No other rack on this list can offer the same.

This rack also features a rear reflector for additional safety and visibility at night. Some assembly is required. However, tools are included in the kit. Instructions are clear and easy.

Many reviews were very complimentary of the assembly and installation processes on the BV. They said it would be solid addition to the gear of any Honda CRV owner.

Another hitch-mounted bike rack, the IKURAM is similarly priced to the BV. It is tested for similar weight.

It promises similar levels of security in transit. That said, it is a little pared back in the features, for those uninterested with bells and whistles.

The IKURAM can carry two bikes at a time. That is assuming they do not exceed its 70-lb. stated weight capacity.

It has two foam-padded hook arms. They raise up and down to adjust for the frame height of the bikes it carries.

You can lock them to prevent theft when you park them. The wheels of bikes it carries sit in rounded trays. You can affix rubber straps. They included those to provide extra security and stability when moving.

This rack is affordable among its hitch-mounted kin. Reviewers frequently remark positively about the IKURAM’s value.

The IKURAM has a finish coated with powder to prevent corrosion. That also lends it a high-quality look and feel, in spite of its low cost.

It also weighs a very reasonable 28.7 lbs. That is significantly lower than the only other hitch-mounted rack on this list, the BV.

Like the vast majority of hitch-mounted bike racks, the IKURAM folds up neatly. That reduces vehicle profile when not carrying bikes and when parked.

This also helps with garage storage when unattached to your CRV. A major difference between the IKURAM and the BV is that while the BV tilts outwards to allow for trunk access even when loaded, the IKURAM does not. That means bikes will have to be removed if you want in your trunk.

There is some assembly required with the IKURAM. However, it includes a couple of allen keys with the kit, so tools aren’t required. It’s designed to fit with 1-¼ and 2-inch hitch receivers and is adaptable to either.

Hitch mounts are all well and good. However, if you’re looking for something a little lighter and strappier, there are options for your Honda CRV. Like I mentioned earlier, the trick is actually finding a rack like this designed to accommodate the small rear spoiler on the CRV and similar vehicles.

Luckily, option like the Allen Sports Premium Trunk Mounted Bike Rack exist. This rack accommodates a large range of both cars and SUVs. That includes the Honda CRV & Honda Element.

It has two 12-inch carry arms that extend outward from the trunk. They can handle two bikes at a time (alas, we do not have a 4-bike rack in these rankings). That is, as long as their combined weight does not exceed 70 lbs.

It’s also the lightest rack on this list. It weighs in at the impressively low 11.45 lbs. That is one of the benefits of opting for strappier bike racks over their clunky hitch-mounted affiliates.

One of the handy features of the Allen is how it distributes weight so as to avoid damaging the rear spoiler. That reduces movement while in motion.

Extra large pads keep the Allen’s weight evenly distributed over the rear windshield and trunk. They also serve to protect the finish of your CRV.

Straps secure the rack to both the top and bottom of your vehicle. That keeps the rack from swaying. It provides ample stability at speed.

The Allen accommodates a wide range of frame styles and sizes, and features multiple tie downs to securely affix your bike to your CRV. This rack receives very positive reviews, and many of them center around the ease of assembly.

The Allen comes fully pre-assembled, requires no tools, and attaches to vehicles in seconds by all accounts. If you’re in a hurry to hit the road, you’d be hard pressed to find a rack that installs more quickly than the Allen.

The marketing material frequently stresses the build quality of the Allen. And while its price isn’t unapproachable, it’s far from the cheapest two-bike rack you could buy. That said, Allen Sports backs this product with a lifetime warranty, a compelling promise and statement about its longevity and overall build.

Arguably the most “no-frills” option on the list, the Blueshyhall nonetheless will get the job done when it comes to transporting a pair of bikes on your CRV.

While it is the cheapest option I looked at, and lacks the the design acumen of other racks in its class, it nonetheless is specifically designed for the modern SUV which puts it head and shoulders over a lot of racks that ring in at a higher price.

Like every rack featured on this list, the Blueshyhall takes two bikes not exceeding a combined 70 lbs. It has a steel frame, and large foam pads to keep it elevated and away from your vehicle, in an attempt to protect both the finish of your car and that of your bikes.

Its simple rubber cradles and rubber straps are hardly breathtaking to look at, but are burly and sturdy enough to keep your bike secure in transit. At only 12.9 lbs., the Blueshyhall is a very light rack and perfect for those who don’t want to struggle with heavier models.

That’s not to say the Blueshyhall is completely devoid of features beyond carrying a couple of bikes. It does cover the basics by folding up for convenient storage, and also comes with high-visibility red reflectors at the ends of its arms to enhance safety when driving at night when bikes may obscure the rear lights of your vehicle.

Which brings us to the handiest feature this inexpensive rack offers. The Blueshyhall doesn’t just fold up for convenient storage, it also folds away when attached to your CRV to allow trunk access even when installed (although not when mounted with bikes like the BV). This is a delightful addition to a rack priced for the most basic purposes.

That said, when penny-pinching, there are generally a few downsides, and the Blueshyhall is no exception. While reviews are generally positive, a recurring complaint seems to be build quality, with some bemoaning the support pads for frequently detaching from the arm.

While it may not last a lifetime, the Blueshyhall might be a solution if you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful.

Of all the racks looked at on this list, the Hollywood arguably has the most interesting design. While some racks simply ignore the existence of a rear spoiler on vehicles like the Honda CRV (hitch-mounted models for examples) and others compensate with clever weight distribution, only the Hollywood is designed specifically to accommodate the spoiler without damaging it.

By using an additional padded arm to prop the rack off the trunk or window of your vehicle, the strap that connects the rack to the top of your trunk won’t even touch the rear spoiler, absolutely minimizing the chance of damage.

In spite of its novel design, the Hollywood is able to carry two bicycles, each up to 35 lbs. of weight, which is standard among all racks we reviewed. Like all racks on this list, the Hollywood is perfectly compatible with your Honda CRV, but also is fully adjustable to accommodate a wide range of vehicles.

While you might expect a rack with such a unique design to cause headaches with assembly, the Hollywood comes shipped fully assembled, no tools needed. By all accounts, installation is relatively straightforward, although probably more time consuming than the quick-and-easy Allen.

The Hollywood features deep, anti-sway bike cradles to minimize movement while your CRV is in motion. The only apparent issue one might take with this rack is that due to its propped-up stance over the rear window, the Hollywood could cause back-up visibility issues for those who prefer not to look at their rear camera.

The Hollywood also comes equipped with the standard bells and whistles you’d expect from conventional racks. It folds down flat to facilitate easy storage, and minimize profile. It also comes equipped with integrated tie-down straps for extra security when transporting your bikes. All in all the Hollywood is a comprehensive solution the obstacles facing modern bike racks.

Of course, there’s always a catch. In the case of the Hollywood, that catch is its price, which is roughly double any other rack on this list. Because of its specialized design that works with a wide range of vehicles without sacrificing function, you’ll have to pony up to saddle this on your CRV. It also weighs a not-insignificant 27.1 lbs., making it one of the heaviest racks featured on this list, and adding to its installation effort.

The Verdict

Despite its enormous popularity, there are few racks specifically for the Honda CRV. While all the racks reviewed on this list are vehicle agnostic, they were all chosen because they can accommodate the rear spoiler you can expect to find on newer models of the CRV.

If you want a hitch-mounted solution and don’t mind a bit of installation, the BV is the way to go with its reasonable price and feature-rich design. If you’ve got cash burning a hole in your pocket, the Hollywood is the most well-designed and equipped rack on this list. You’ll just have to pay for the privilege.

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